Myth To Be Dispelled: Homework results in more learning in elementary school
Target Audience: Elementary teachers and curriculum builders
About this PSA: I chose this particular myth because I feel it is important for educators to be aware of the harmful effects homework can potentially have on students of elementary age. Development at such an early stage in life is crucial. Teachers often recognize the importance of academic development, but fail to acknowledge the significance of other developments, such as social skills and motor skills. Children must devote time not only to academics, but also to social interaction and extracurricular activity. Aside from this, children must find time to spend with family members, eat, and sleep. This can cause children a lot of stress, and stress can contribute to many health issues. To avoid these negative results, elementary teachers and curriculum builders need to stop assigning homework, unless absolutely necessary. Every once in a while is understandable, but like elementary teacher Amanda Marasco states, “School work is so much more beneficial than homework. The teacher can see what the kids are capable of doing and not doing. Homework is a review of the day’s work. If kids don’t do their homework, but were paying attention in class, they will still do well on tests.”